As long as we're discussing "exotic" woods, I was recently asked about using sassafras wood for smoking/grilling. I'm guessing that it's use would be rather limited due to the inherent sweet flavor. Has anyone ever tried it?? I know it's not the most common wood nationwide. I've only ever used the roots for tea back in my Boy Scout days!!

the second tree is indeed a maple. I recognize the whirlygigs. (used to HATE having to claen those things out of the blasted pool every spring.....)
The only thing I would be worried about is the vines I see climbing the tree. Would hate to see you get poison ivy or even worse inhale the smoke from it. know of someone that did and ended up in ICU from it....not good.....

No worries; the vine is Boston Ivy or a related ornamental, not poison ivy. I still wouldn't smoke with it though The maple looks a lot like sugar maple to me, the leaves taper to slender "fingers". Do they turn bright red in the fall?
The bark looks correct too.

No one can deny the smell of bad wood. Beware of soft wood, cedar, pine, hackberry, elm, and the like. Always test-burn unknown wood on a campfire, and then determine if that would be a taste you would want on your food. Some wood is quite toxic. Never burn treated lumber of any kind. Good smoke comes from hardwoods that bear a nut or a fruit. Oak, hickory, mesquite, pecan and various fruit trees have established themselves in the BBQ fuel inventory. Beware of unknown woods!

Hmmm... See, thats why I love this site! I have seen the first statement and have a print out of the document, but I thought I would check with you guys first to see what you think. I think I will do a test burn of this wood to see what the smoke is like. Thanks Bob.

I just picked up a load of mixed wood from a fire wood supplier. He told me it was sugar maple, oak, wild cherry, hickory and beech.

Has anyone ever used beech? I understand it is suitable for smoking however I'm curious if anyone has actually used it. Not aware of anyone that has. I guess I will just test it out.

I'm not sure how to tell the difference between the woods. I doubt it matters that much except for maybe the hickory. Are there any distinct ways of identifying cherry just by the wood or bark. I would assume it would have a reddish tinge in the wood?